Royal Opera House » 2010 » February » 222015-03-03T17:28:04ZWordPressRoyal Opera Househttp://blog.roh.org.uk/?p=5612014-07-28T16:01:09Z2010-02-22T22:22:23ZOrchestra reading rehearsals with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightment. (Linbury Theatre). This terrific ensemble (Britain's 1st self-governing period-instrument orchestra) appears regularly at ROH. This is my third show with them at the Garden. We work fast and attack details straight away. Alison Bury is a dynamic leader and Tony Robson a plangent and feisty 1st oboe! The viola group is particularly strong and characterful, having remained remarkably stable since the early days of the orchestra.

Annette Isserlis, Jan Schlapp, Martin Kelly and Nick Logie make a formidable team. For me it's great to reconnect with Nick-who with me built up the Glyndebourne Touring Orchestra in the 1990s. We reminisce on the woodwind Princpals of Glyndebourne Tours' 'Rakes' Progress' who now occupy the same positions in Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebeow, Philharmonia and Israel Chamber Orchestra!

It's a long day (and a long piece!) and we cover a lot of ground. Afterwards there is a production call in the evening. During the day we have learnt the sad news that Plácido Domingo has withdrawn from the role of Bajazet due to preventive surgery. The company is primarily concerned for Plácido's well-being and quick recovery. He is a much-loved colleague.

]]>0Royal Opera Househttp://blog.roh.org.uk/?p=5452014-05-19T15:47:16Z2010-02-22T15:33:44ZThis Sunday we’re hosting the BAFTAs, which we’ve done for a few years now and it always causes a huge buzz around the place. Who doesn’t fall (even if they pretend otherwise) for red carpets and glamorous Hollywood stars?

Last Sunday we were running a very different kind of event but the buzz was equally fantastic. ‘Tickets for Troops’ is a scheme that enables military personnel to get free tickets to entertainment and sporting events. We put on a special performance for troops and their families. Uncommonly for us, it was a mix of opera and ballet (they don’t often occupy the stage on the same night). A 20 minute chunk of the opera La bohème was followed by the one act ballet Tales of Beatrix Potter, with an open scene change between them to show our stage crew and machinery at work.

The very socially diverse audience brought home to me that the armed forces are in many ways a microcosm of society. The fact that everyone there shared something in common created a very special atmosphere and palpable sense of community around the place. Performers on the stage and in the orchestra pit and staff working front of house all felt it, and felt excited to be part of the event.

With tickets being allocated on a “first come, first served” basis, starting with the best seats, military rank had no bearing on where people sat: one of ROH’s more democratic auditoriums in fact!